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While the record-breaking drought of 2020-2023 has eased and conflict in the region has largely ended, Ethiopia remains in need of significant humanitarian and food aid, according to a May report from FEWS Net. Populations in the northern Tigray region and the southeastern Oromia and Somalia regions continue to experience IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and Phase 4 (Emergency) food insecurity, which could worsen even further in the upcoming lean season.
Water and pasture availability in the southern regions have improved since March, bringing an end to three years of historic drought. However, livelihoods in the region were significantly negatively impacted over the past three years, especially for pastoralist households; the incomes and food access of these households will take time to recover. Food prices in the regions are also extremely high, reducing the purchasing power of already-struggling populations. As a result, acute malnutrition and food insecurity remains rampant; FEWS Net expects Phase 3 and 4 food insecurity to continue in the region through September. Short-term food aid will be needed to get the region through the upcoming lean season, while longer term aid will be required to help the region recover from the years of drought.
While conflict has ended in the northern Tigray region, many households remain in Phase 4 food insecurity. A combination of reduced livelihoods, limited access to employment opportunities, and a two-year stop in cash transfers from the government’s Productive Safety Net Programme has significantly hurt food and economic security in the region. Exacerbating these impacts, FEWS Net reports, is the fact that recent large food aid shipments were diverted from populations in need. During the upcoming lean season, limited access to agricultural inputs could reduce planted area; in addition, the El Niño phenomenon could result in below-average rainfalls and further lower harvests. Without continued food aid, and assurances that aid will reach those in need, acute malnutrition and food insecurity in the region will continue to increase.